Beach sunflowerseasy to propagate

Published: Thursday, August 22, 2013 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 4:42 p.m.

I have a large sandy area between my home and the golf course here in Grand Haven. I have worked hard over time to clear much of it from junk. About a month ago I planted some dune sunflowers which are all doing well and have grown in size significantly. If I understand correctly, the seeds from these plants can be propagated and I would like to do that. Can you tell me where the seeds are located on the plant, how to harvest the seeds from the plant, what to do once harvested to ensure they grow and any tricks you are aware of to ensure their health and spread?

Don Newman

Palm Coast

The beach sunflower is a spreading perennial that has attractive, small sunflower-like flower heads which are borne throughout the year. The 3-inch-wide showy flowers of this plant are followed by small seeds that readily germinate to produce plantlets. The dried flowers are the future seeds. They are prolific and sprout readily where they fall even atop mulch. You can collect dried flowers before they shatter, open them up and allow the seed to dry further in a dark cool place to establish them in another location. Then in the fall, you can once again plant them in soil with irrigation to prevent them from drying out at a seedling stage.

Once established no fertilizer is needed. These plants will bloom continually for about two years at which time they become woody, “leggy” and exhausted. Remove dead and dying stems to help plants look their best. After two years, the plants will begin to decline. Pull them up and out of the bed. This will expose seeds to the sunlight to begin a new generation. These seedlings will cover the exposed area within a few weeks.

Karen Stauderman is a Volusia County commercial horticulture extension agent. Reach her at 3100 E. New York Ave., DeLand, FL 32724-6497, 386-822-5778 or email kstauderman@co.volusia.fl.us.

<p><strong><em>I have a large sandy area between my home and the golf course here in Grand Haven. I have worked hard over time to clear much of it from junk. About a month ago I planted some dune sunflowers which are all doing well and have grown in size significantly. If I understand correctly, the seeds from these plants can be propagated and I would like to do that. Can you tell me where the seeds are located on the plant, how to harvest the seeds from the plant, what to do once harvested to ensure they grow and any tricks you are aware of to ensure their health and spread?</em></strong></p><p><strong>Don Newman</strong></p><p>Palm Coast</p><p>The beach sunflower is a spreading perennial that has attractive, small sunflower-like flower heads which are borne throughout the year. The 3-inch-wide showy flowers of this plant are followed by small seeds that readily germinate to produce plantlets. The dried flowers are the future seeds. They are prolific and sprout readily where they fall even atop mulch. You can collect dried flowers before they shatter, open them up and allow the seed to dry further in a dark cool place to establish them in another location. Then in the fall, you can once again plant them in soil with irrigation to prevent them from drying out at a seedling stage.</p><p>Once established no fertilizer is needed. These plants will bloom continually for about two years at which time they become woody, “leggy” and exhausted. Remove dead and dying stems to help plants look their best. After two years, the plants will begin to decline. Pull them up and out of the bed. This will expose seeds to the sunlight to begin a new generation. These seedlings will cover the exposed area within a few weeks. </p><p>Karen Stauderman is a Volusia County commercial horticulture extension agent. Reach her at 3100 E. New York Ave., DeLand, FL 32724-6497, 386-822-5778 or email kstauderman@co.volusia.fl.us.</p>